A new recording of Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece, starring Calista Flockhart. Nora Helmer has everything a young housewife could want: beautiful children, an adoring husband, and a bright future. But when a carelessly buried secret rises from the past, Nora's well-calibrated domestic ideal starts to crumble. Ibsen's play is as fresh today as it was when it first stormed the stages of 19th-century Europe.

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Publisher's Summary

A new recording of Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece, starring Calista Flockhart. Nora Helmer has everything a young housewife could want: beautiful children, an adoring husband, and a bright future. But when a carelessly buried secret rises from the past, Nora's well-calibrated domestic ideal starts to crumble. Ibsen's play is as fresh today as it was when it first stormed the stages of 19th-century Europe.

An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: Calista Flockhart as Nora Helmer; Tony Abatemarco as Dr. Rank; Tim Dekay as Torvald Helmer; Jeannie Elias as Anne-Marie and Helene; Gregory Itzin as Nils Krogstad; Jobeth Williams as Mrs. Linde. Translated by Rolf Fjelde. Directed by Rosalind Ayres. Recorded before a live audience at the James Bridges Theater at UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television.

What made the experience of listening to A Doll House (Dramatized) the most enjoyable?

Great performance of a classic. I've heard about it for years but never seen the play. Betty Friedan references it in The Feminine Mystique, so that reminded me to get A Doll House. I'm so glad I did. It's not just for feminists, so don't let that idea fool you. It's just good.

I listened to this because it is one of my granddaughter's favorite. I can't say it is one of mine but my granddaughter thought it was thought provoking. She is 17 years of age.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end brings it all together!

Any additional comments?

The morality of the characters was intriguing. The end of the book reveals the actual plot and is a complete surprise….I totally love that my granddaughter got it. She realized the deeper meaning of consequences for all behavior. The protagonist' character flaws are artfully presented through the writings in "A Doll House."

This was a new story to me - I had not seen nor read the play before. I was shocked by the resolution because it seemed so atypical for even the late 19th century -- in fact, I have read since that it was quite a controversial ending and Ibsen was forced to change it for performances in Germany.

In a nutshell, this is a story about a paternalistic and overbearing husband and his secretive and child-like wife; to him, he has a dollhouse of perfect little toys to play with, but to her, she has a gilded cage full of superficial pleasantries but no freedom. The resolution is unexpected for 1879, even though today's reader might think it appropriate.

The production was good, even though I'm not a Calista Flockhart fan, but the children sounded like Munchkins - which is odd, because this is a live production and I'm sure they were really children in the roles. Tim Dekay and Gregory Itzin were wonderful.

This was an excellent performance, but the recording does not match the text of the play in my book. This is a problem because I'm a teacher and would have liked to use the recording to support instruction in class.

Where does A Doll House rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very High (except for the 'Children's' voices - which are rare, fortunately)

What other book might you compare A Doll House to, and why?

A Doll House stands alone - a classic

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

Nora - Calista Flockhart brings high energy to this role

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Nora's deception becomes apparent and is told,"Obviously you don't have the vaguest idea of what you have involved yourself in"

Any additional comments?

The tension builds inexorably, broken by humour and realisation

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BigBaby

Portsmouth UK

3/13/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Superfical wife, superficial controlling husband"

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. The couple are as superficial as each other. He is (amoung other things) a control freak, she is a kept woman obsessed with beauty and money. Realization dawns and she leaves. The story ends without addressing child custody, where she would go and what on earth she will do.

Would you recommend A Doll House (Dramatized) to your friends? Why or why not?

No. I didn't mind it, but not sure who would want to hear the play. You are excluded from a little bit of humour relying on sound effects. The door slamming could have been a gun-shot from as he commits suicide. You don't know if the children where with her or left behind, from what you pick up, the later probably.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

N/A

Did A Doll House (Dramatized) inspire you to do anything?

No, but I would try more dramatized audios.

Any additional comments?

From an entertainment point of view and at the price the audio was enjoyable. The cast sound like they put on a good show.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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